THE CONSULTATION on Llanelli’s Minor Injury Unit (MIU) at Prince Philip Hospital has now reached its halfway mark, and Hywel Dda University Health Board has thanked the community for its active participation and provided updates on feedback received so far.
Since November 2024, the MIU has operated temporarily reduced hours—8:00am to 8:00pm daily—due to staffing shortages. The unit provides essential treatment for minor injuries, including cuts, sprains, and minor burns.
Since the consultation launched on April 28, numerous community members and staff have shared their perspectives on four proposed long-term operational models for the MIU. Additionally, many have offered innovative suggestions through events and questionnaires regarding future organisation.
Community engagement has been substantial, with hundreds participating in face-to-face drop-in sessions, online meetings, and group discussions around Llanelli. These have included input from patients, hospital staff, seldom-heard groups, veterans, elected representatives, and current MIU users. Further engagement activities and focus groups are planned to ensure continued broad community involvement.
Local advocacy groups, including SOSPPAN (Save Our Services Prince Philip Action Network) and Llais, have played a significant role in encouraging community involvement. Both groups have been integral in the consultation process, helping to develop options and serving on steering committees to scrutinise proposals effectively.
Deryk Cundy, Chair of SOSPPAN, commented: “We appreciate the opportunity to engage actively with Health Board staff and community members. While acknowledging that difficult decisions must be made, we remain dedicated to ensuring the concerns of Llanelli’s community are robustly represented.”
Dr Robin Ghosal, Hospital Director at Prince Philip Hospital, said: “We are extremely grateful to everyone who has taken the time to attend consultation events, ask questions, and share their ideas. Your feedback is invaluable and will significantly shape the proposals we put forward.”
Dr Ghosal emphasised the transparency of the consultation: “This is a genuine, open consultation, and we do not have a preferred option. We encourage continued input, including new ideas we may not yet have considered. It is notable that two of the four options currently under consideration originated from community suggestions.”
The consultation specifically addresses the future provision of minor injury services in Llanelli, covering treatments such as cuts, grazes, sprains, and minor fractures. There are no proposed changes to the Acute Medical Assessment Unit (AMAU) at Prince Philip Hospital, which continues to provide emergency care for critically ill adult medical patients, such as stroke or heart attack victims. For medical emergencies, residents should dial 999 or seek referral from NHS 111 Wales or their GP.
Between 8:00pm and 8:00am, individuals needing immediate assistance for minor injuries should:
- Visit the NHS Wales symptom checker: https://111.wales.nhs.uk/selfassessments/
- Call NHS 111 Wales for advice (choose option 2 for mental health support)
- Dial 999 immediately in life-threatening emergencies
Community groups interested in organising a meeting to discuss the consultation and MIU options can contact [email protected].
The consultation closes on July 22, 2025. More information, including the questionnaire for feedback, is available at: https://hduhb.nhs.wales/PPHMIU.
